A Love Restored

Chapter 205

The Years Later

run after my baby girl, chasing her through my apartment as I try to get her dressed. “Isla Nicole Wolfe Montefiore Rivera

She waddles up to me, wearing just her diaper, making grabby hands at me. I finally put on the pink frack on her. Aren’t you excited to meet Papa today?” I con at her “Will you miss Mommy?”

She nods, sucking on her thumb, and I pull it out of her mouth gently. “That’s not nice. Are you hungry?”

“Yes, mama.” My heart melts. My baby has the sweetest voice. I love her so much.

1 go to the kitchen to get her some mango flavored yogurt – her favorite. I make her sit down in her chair and am going to start feeding her, when the front door creaks open.

*Papa!” Isla exclaims gleefully, waving her hands about. Julian walks over to us and swoops her into his arms, laying kisses on her face. “Mia bambina!” He exclaims, and she giggles. “Mia dolcezza

“She’s hungry.” I tell him. “Can you feed her? I need to get changed.”

Jullian smiles at me. “Of course.” He makes her settle down in her seat, then swoops me in for a kiss. My mouth opens, and he places a soft kiss on me, sucking on my bottom lip. “You look lovely,”

Iggle. I’m in a ratty T–shirt and shorts.

| “I’ll be right back.”

I go to my room and quickly put on jeans and a nicer T shirt and sneakers and put on some lipstick. When I go outside, Julian has finished feeding her and is now rocking her in his arms.

Julian is an extremely affectionate father. He buys Ish too many clothes and toys, and is pretty hands–on. We did not start dating again until after she was born, but we knew we were going to, and he had been very attentive during my pregnancy. When she was bom, he would always hang out at my apartment, and had even offered to hire a nanny.

We still lived separately, but we were parenting together, quite smoothly. We had decided to take things slow, comantically. Julian had been patient. We had dated for six months before having sex. Except that one mistake. He spent time with my family. And he was so nice to me, so devoted, so loving. I had everything I ever wanted.

A lot had happened in the months preceding that one very eventful day before my wedding that never happened. But things did die down eventually.

Nico made a huge sacrifice. And it is only because of him that things are good for me and Julian now. I will always, always, be eternally grateful to him my best friend, the godfather to my daughter. In fact, I’m seeing him later today.

–

Julian was reinstated into the mafia he isn’t Capo Bastone anymore, just a Capo, but he will rise the ranks, like he did before.

“Do you need a ride?” Julian asks me

I shake my head. “I’m going to ride with Sophie.”

Sophie is my friend from class. I joined a course in Painting and Fine Arts. I still help out at my father’s tattoo place, but now I also sell my art. After my course dishes, I will have the opportunity to have an exhibition. And I have friends other than Nico now. Two years ago, I would never have envisioned this life for me.

Julian nods. “I’m taking Isla to my place. You should come over after you’re done.”

“I think I will” I smile. And Julian, I think I’m ready to have that talk about moving in together”

He grins. “Finally.”

1. me. I get into her car beside her and she hands me a

I quickly bid goodbye to them both, then rush downstairs where 1 know Sophie is waiting for me. coller. Were late!” She exclaims. Hold your horses”

Chapter 205

And then she speeds away.

Class is nice. We are working on human portraits. Since the course is almost ending, we are only working on our final submissions, and the instructor only helps out now. It is quiet and serene. I like working alone.

As we work, the instructor makes rounds of the classroom. She stops at my place and watches me paint, “Is there a reason you’re making differently colored eyes? Who is that?” She asks curiously.

I smile. “Its my soulmate.”

Around 5 pm, I leave the studio and walk down to a small café just nearby. The weather is grey, but cool and windy. It blows in my face, messing up my hair I am tired, but Em

excited to see my best friend.

It starts to rain the moment I step inside the cafe. It is small and cute, with a retro aesthetic. Nico is sitting at a table to the side. When he spots me, he stands up, and a grin

takes over his face.

I walk over to him, and he hugs me sideways. “Hey, long time no see.”

1 sit down with a huff. I’m so sorry. I’ve been really busy with the classes, and Isla, and everything.” I smile at him. “And then you have been out of the country for about a month.”

He chuckles. “Yes, my bad, too. I missed you.”

“I missed you too.”

“I missed my goddaughter, more,” He teases, “When can I see her?

A waiter interrupts our conservation. We both order cappuccinos and decide to share a chocolate croissant.

“Julian has her today.” I tell him. “But I asked your wife to look after her tomorrow. Julian and I are going to look at some houses.

Nico smiles. “So you’re finally moving in together. About time.”